The California State legislature sent Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer’s (D- South Los Angeles) Assembly Bill (AB) 2944 to the Governor’s desk, legislation that would create a contribution-based funding stream to end the school-to-prison pipeline.

“It’s time we stop locking up our children and start investing in their future,” said Assembly­member Jones-Sawyer. “Imagine the change we can achieve if millions of California taxpayers donated $1 each year to end the school to prison pipeline and create a sustainable funding source for youth diversion programs.”

AB 2944 would allow Cali­fornia taxpayers to donate a portion of their income tax return to the “Schools Not Prisons” voluntary tax contribution fund. These contributions will be awarded through a competitive grant process administered by the Department of Education to projects that increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending college. Projects being funded will be dedicated to advancing youth leadership, community organizing, life skills, workforce readiness and mentorship for our most vulnerable youth. This could include programs in Los Angeles like 100 Black Men Young Black Scholars program and the Brotherhood Crusades’ Youth Development Program, which seek to empower and guide our young people.

“In some communities in California, it is more common to go to jail after high school than college,” said Michael Lynch from Improve Your Tomorrow. “AB 2944 will help prevent a school to prison pipeline by providing funding to organizations working to improve the outcomes for our most vulnerable youth.”

“Fixing this problem starts with a first step - each of us giving a small amount to fund projects that will lead our young children to emotional wellbeing, a sense of hope and promise, academic success, and hopefully, job training or college,” said Assemblyman Jones-Sawyer. “Every child should be promised the support to achieve a productive life. AB 2944 is a step in that direction.”